Fatima Bhutto

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fatima Bhutto

Born 29 May 1982 (1982-05-29) (age 26)
Kabul, Afghanistan[1]
Occupation Poet, writer

Fatima Bhutto (Urdu: فاطمہ بھٹو), (born 29 May 1982) is a poet and writer who came to fame after the appearance of her first book, a collection of poems, titled Whispers of the Desert. . She is now a columnist for The News in Pakistan. She received notable coverage for her second book, 8:50 a.m. 8 October 2005.[2][3] Fatima is the granddaughter of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and niece of Benazir Bhutto, from whom she was estranged[1]. She is active in Pakistan's socio-political arena,[4] but has no desire to run for political office.[5]

Contents

[edit] Early life and career

Fatima was born in the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul.[1] Her father, Murtaza Bhutto, was son of former Pakistan's President and Prime Minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and her mother is Fauzia Fasihudin Bhutto, daughter of former Afghanistan's Foreign Affair official.[1] Her father was killed by police in 1996 in Karachi during the premiership of his sister, Benazir Bhutto. Her parents divorced when she was young and Ghinwa Bhutto became her stepmother in 1989.[1] Years later, her mother unsuccessfully attempted to gain parental custody of Fatima.[1]

Bhutto completed her BA degree in Middle Eastern studies [6] from Barnard College of Columbia University,[2][7] after receiving her secondary education at the Karachi American School. She received a Master's degree in South Asian Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London [8] She lives with her step-mother Ghinwa Bhutto, and her half-brother Zulfiqar Bhutto Jr.[9] They live at the famous residence 70 Clifton Road in Clifton, Karachi, "Karachi's oldest and plushest suburb."[1]

[edit] Books

Her book 8.50 a.m. 8 October 2005 marks the moment that brought life to a standstill in Pakistan's north, as a major earthquake jolted the region from Islamabad to the valleys of Azad Kashmir. Fatima Bhutto visited the affected areas to record and compile inspiring accounts of those affected—victims and volunteers—as a tribute to their hope, courage and resilience in the face of calamity.

“ There is a dire, ongoing need to recognize and remember that the earthquake didn’t just leave a lot of rubble behind. There are literally millions of people in the need for rehabilitation: physical, emotional, and economic. We urge you to share these stories with as many people as you know, so that you can remind them of the lingering effects of this tragedy, and pave the way for the aid/relief agencies seeking donations, individuals and groups lobbying for international support, and continued financial donations from every individual who is inspired by these stories to continue to help. ”

[edit] Future

Following the assassination of her aunt, Benazir Bhutto, her entrance into politics has been speculated. She has stated that for now she prefers to remain active through her writing, rather than through elected office.[1]

“ I don't believe in birth-right politics. I don't think, nor have I ever thought, that my name qualifies me for anything ”

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h The Broken Bloodline, The Guardian, Jan 11, 2008
  2. ^ a b Don’t look back in anger, look forward with hope, urges Fatima, by Urooj Zia, Daily Times (Pakistan), 15 Sep 2006
  3. ^ Fatima's Book on Quake Victims Launched, The Nation (Pakistan), 14 Sep 2006
  4. ^ Fatima launches her innings as Bhuttos struggle for political survival, In the News, The Nation (Pakistan), 27 Jan 2006
  5. ^ Outspoken Niece of Benazir Bhutto Accuses Aunt’s Party of Fraud in Pakistani Elections, Democracy Now!, 20 Feb 2008
  6. ^ 'Real' Bhutto heir denounces family business, by Jeremy Page, The Times (London), 12 Jan 2008
  7. ^ Bhutto Sees Politics, Pakistan Firsthand, by Joy Resmovits, Columbia Spectator, 29 Nov 2007
  8. ^ Fatima Bhutto receives Masters Degree, Pakistan Press International, 16 Dec 2005
  9. ^ Who's who in the Bhutto dynasty, Times Online (London), 28 Dec 2007

[edit] External links

[edit] Selected articles by Fatima Bhutto


[edit] Interviews